Under the newly announced Marriage and Parenthood package, fathers will now recieve 1 week of government-paid paternity leave, to be taken within 16 weeks after the birth of a child who is a Singapore citizen. This takes effect from 1 May 2013 onwards.

Eligibility Criteria

Working fathers, including those who are self-employed, will be entitled to 1 week of Government-Paid Paternity Leave for all births provided they meet the following criteria:

Child is a Singapore Citizen born on or after 1 May 2013;

The child’s parents are lawfully married;

Father must have served his employer for a continuous duration of at least 3 calendar months immediately preceding the birth of the child;

The duration of 1-week paternity leave is determined by the length of the employee’s work-week. An employee who works 5 days per week will be entitled to 5 days of paternity leave; a employee who works 6 days a week will be entitled to 6 days of paternity leave.

or
For self-employed fathers, they must have been engaged in a particular business/ trade/ profession for a continuous duration of at least 3 calendar months immediately preceding the birth of the child; and have lost income as a result of not engaging in the trade, business, profession or vocation during the paternity leave period.

Funding

The 1 week of paternity leave will be funded by the Government (capped at $2,500 including CPF contributions). Employers will be required to provide the 1 week of paternity leave for births on or after 1 May 2013. However, employers may offer the paternity leave, on a voluntary basis, to employees with children born on or after 1 Jan 2013. The Government will reimburse the employers from 1 May 2013

In addition to the paternity leave, fathers are entitled to share up to 1 week of the 16 weeks maternity leave, if the mother agrees, and qualifies for the benefits.